LAND RECLAMATION
- Agricultural Sciences
- 500 level
- 2 credit units
- 94 pages
- 15 units
This course explores the principles and practices of land reclamation, focusing on the rehabilitation of soils degraded by various factors. It covers soil degradation processes such as compaction, salinisation, acidification, and erosion, examining their causes, effects, and management strategies. The course also delves into reclamation techniques, including drainage, irrigation, and the use of soil amendments, to restore soil productivity for sustainable agricultural production and efficient resource utilization.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of SLM508, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 CONCEPT, MEANING AND SCOPE OF LAND RECLAMATIONPage vii
- UNIT 2 FORMS/TYPES OF SOIL DEGRADATION IN AGRICULTURE IPage 5
- UNIT 3 FORMS/TYPES OF SOIL DEGRADATION IN AGRICULTURE IIPage 9
- UNIT 4: SOIL COMPACTION: FORMS, CAUSES, EFFECTS, MEASUREMENT, PREVENTION/CONTROLPage 13
- UNIT 5: SOIL POLLUTION: TYPES, CAUSES, EFFECT, PREVENTION/CONTROLPage 20
- UNIT 1 WATER EROSION: TYPES, FACTORS INFLUENCING IT, EFFECTS AND CONTROLPage 29
- UNIT 2: WIND EROSION: TYPES, FACTORS INFLUENCING WIND EROSION, EFFECTS, PREDICTION AND CONTROLPage 37
- UNIT 3 SOIL ACIDIFICATION: TYPES, CAUSES AND MEASUREMENTPage 43
- UNIT 4: SALINISATION: SOURCES/CAUSES, EFFECTS, MEASUREMENT AND MANAGEMENTPage 48
- UNIT 5 SODIFICATION: SOURCES/ CAUSES, EFFECTS, MEASUREMENT AND MANAGEMENTPage 53
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
SLM508 · UNIT 1 CONCEPT, MEANING AND SCOPE OF LAND RECLAMATION
The TMA is the continuous assessment component of your course. It accounts for 30% of the total score. The TMAs will be given to you by your facilitator and you will return it after you have done the assignment.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concepts of land reclamation and soil degradation
- Identify different types of soil degradation
- Describe the causes, effects, and management of various soil degradation types
- Evaluate the severity of soil degradation
- Apply appropriate land reclamation techniques
- Promote sustainable agricultural practices
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Consultant
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Land Management Specialist
- Soil Conservationist
- Environmental Scientist
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
- Land Development
- Government Agencies
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 4: Salinisation, Sources/Causes, Effects, Measurement and Management
Understanding the complex interactions between soil properties, climate, and management practices requires integrating knowledge from previous units.
- Module 2:
Unit 5: Sodification, Sources/Causes, Effects, Measurement and Management
Requires understanding of soil chemistry and cation exchange capacity, which can be challenging for students without a strong science background.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 41 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Concept, Meaning and Scope of Land Reclamation · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the definitions of soil degradation and land reclamation.. Differentiate between soil and land degradation.. Complete the tutor-marked assignment..
Unit 2: Types/ Forms of Soil Degradation in Agriculture I · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the causes and characteristics of soil compaction.. Understand the agents of erosion.. Differentiate between soil pollutants from natural and anthropogenic origins..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 3: Types/ Forms of Soil Degradation in Agriculture II · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the different forms of soil degradation.. Understand the causes and effects of waste on soil.. Learn about soil acidification and its impact on crop yield..
Unit 4: Compaction, Forms, Causes, Effect, Measurement, Prevention/Control · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the forms of soil compaction.. Understand the causes and effects of soil compaction.. Learn how to measure and prevent soil compaction..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 5: Soil Pollution, Types, Causes, Effects, Prevention/Control · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the different types of soil pollution.. Understand the sources and effects of soil pollution.. Learn about the management and remediation of soil pollution..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 1: Water Erosion, Types, Factors Influencing, Effects and Control · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the types of water erosion.. Understand the factors influencing water erosion.. Learn about the effects and control of water erosion..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 2: Wind Erosion, Types, Factors Influencing, Effects, Prevention/Control · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the types of wind erosion.. Understand the factors influencing wind erosion.. Learn about the effects, prediction, and control of wind erosion..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 3: Acidification, Types, Causes , Effects And Correction · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the types of soil acidification.. Understand the causes and effects of soil acidification.. Learn how to correct soil acidity..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 4: Salinisation, Sources/Causes, Effects, Measurement and Management · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the sources and causes of salinisation.. Understand the effects of salinisation on soils and crops.. Learn how to measure and manage saline soils..
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 5: Sodification, Sources/Causes, Effects, Measurement and Management · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the sources and causes of sodification.. Understand the effects of sodification on soils and crops.. Learn how to measure and manage sodic soils..
- Week 9Module 3:
Unit 1: Waste , Sources, Effects and Management · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the different sources of waste.. Understand the effects of waste on soil.. Learn about prevention and management of waste..
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 2: Climate Change, Effects and Mitigation · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the effects of climate change.. Understand the mitigation strategies for climate change..
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 3: Deforestation: Causes, Effects, Prevention and Control · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the causes of deforestation.. Understand the effects of deforestation.. Learn about the prevention and control of deforestation..
- Week 12Module 3:
Unit 4: Desertification: Causes, Effects, Prevention and Control · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the causes of desertification.. Understand the effects of desertification.. Learn about the prevention and control of desertification..
- Week 13Module 3:
Unit 5: Land Reclamation Technologies for Degraded Soils · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the different types of land reclamation.. Understand the techniques of land reclamation.. Learn how to manage reclaimed soils..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a study schedule allocating specific time for each module and unit.
- Focus on understanding the causes, effects, and management strategies for each type of soil degradation.
- Practice applying land reclamation techniques to different scenarios.
- Review key terms and definitions related to soil science and environmental management.
- Summarize the main points of each unit and create flashcards for quick review.
- Pay close attention to the tutor-marked assignments and use them as a guide for exam preparation.
- Practice past exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types.
Questions students ask about this course
What is SLM508 about?
This course explores the principles and practices of land reclamation, focusing on the rehabilitation of soils degraded by various factors. It covers soil degradation processes such as compaction, salinisation, acidification, and erosion, examining their causes, effects, and management strategies. The course also delves into reclamation techniques, including drainage, irrigation, and the use of soil amendments, to restore soil productivity for sustainable agricultural production and efficient resource utilization.
How many units does SLM508 have?
SLM508, LAND RECLAMATION, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 94 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is SLM508?
SLM508 carries 2 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is SLM508 hard?
SLM508 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does SLM508 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is SLM508 assessed?
SLM508 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with SLM508?
Environmental Consultant, Agricultural Extension Officer, Land Management Specialist, Soil Conservationist and Environmental Scientist.